As an Entomologist OR Plant Pathologist with APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), Science and Technology (S&T), you will serve in the Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Laboratory (PERAL), addressing complex issues in safeguarding, exotic pest management, assuring safe trade, and protecting U. S. agriculture through the exclusion and detection of exotic pests.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT, ENTOMOLOGIST SERIES, 0414: Degree in entomology; or a related discipline of the biological or physical sciences that included at least 16 semester hours in entomology. In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, the applicant must demonstrate the below experience. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 grade level) that demonstrates: Applying principles of entomology to work on analytical tasks that provide solutions to technical issues related to plant health. Finding, extracting, synthesizing, and evaluating scientific literature and other sources of information to draw conclusions about a wide range of arthropods and their potential impacts to plant resources. Writing, reviewing, and editing technical documents for a variety of audiences. Collaborating effectively with team members and building strong working relationships across disciplines. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in entomology or related disciplines. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Applying entomological expertise to assess the risk a wide variety of exotic plant pest threats, to develop regulatory, survey, response, and/or control options to appropriately exclude, respond to, or manage these threats. Interpreting data from statistical analysis, GIS, or mathematical models to make inferences and draw conclusions about a wide range of arthropods and their potential impacts to plant resources and pest management across diverse environments and host systems. Clearly communicating complex spatial and quantitative concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. Coordinating multidisciplinary project teams to achieve technical and programmatic objectives. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. BASIC REQUIREMENT, PLANT PATHOLOGIST SERIES, 0434: Degree in plant pathology; or a related scientific discipline that included at least 20 semester hours in basic botany or plant science, and 10 semester hours in plant pathology. In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, the applicant must demonstrate the below experience. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 grade level) that demonstrates: Applying knowledge of plant pathology to work on analytical tasks that provide solutions to technical issues related to plant health. Finding, extracting, synthesizing, and evaluating scientific literature and other sources to draw conclusions about plant diseases and physiological conditions for plant health and pest management. Writing, reviewing, and editing technical documents for a variety of audiences. Collaborating effectively with team members and building strong working relationships across disciplines. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in plant pathology; or a related scientific discipline. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Applying plant pathology expertise to assess the risk of exotic plant disease threats and to develop regulatory, survey, response, and/or control options to appropriately exclude, respond to, or manage these threats. Interpreting data from statistical analysis, GIS, or mathematical models to make inferences and draw conclusions about plant diseases and physiological conditions for plant health and pest management. Communicating complex spatial and quantitative concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. Coordinating multidisciplinary project teams to achieve technical and programmatic objectives. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVELS: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to:
Analyze the risk of invasion, establishment and movement of quarantine-significant exotic pests based on ecological factors, human activities, and spatial population dynamics, and spread modeling.
Analyze literature and internal data, write agency reports, and conduct risk assessments to support rule making and program actions.
Develop sound sampling procedures for survey of quarantine-significant pests, including estimates of probabilities of detecting populations as a function of sampling effort and pest populations.
Design, evaluate, and optimize comprehensive strategies for detecting incipient populations of exotic pests of plants, using tools as simulation models of population dynamics and sampling or trapping.
Develop economic impact studies concerning the cost and benefits of a recommended course of action and alternative strategies.
Design, execute, and/or provide technical consultation on studies to evaluate effectiveness of various procedures for pre-and post-entry clearance of goods.
Review work plans, research proposals, experimental plans, manuscripts, and proposed PPQ protocols to ensure that procedures are statistically valid and meaningful.
Prepare reports primarily for developing effective APHIS programs and in accordance with agency, PPQ, and other relevant policies.
Represent APHIS and make presentations at scientific, technical, and program review meetings and workshops.